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Beachy, Wood give Braves rotation options

Beachy, Wood give Braves rotation options

6/22/13: After surrendering a leadoff double, Alex Wood retires the next three batters via the strikeout to keep the game close

By Brian Hedger
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Special to MLB.com |

CHICAGO -- Heading into the second half of the regular-season slate, the Braves have options with their pitching staff, ranging from the Majors down to the Minor Leagues.

Brandon Beachy was slated to make another rehab start on Friday night for Triple-A Gwinnett against Indianapolis, his third since being shut down for a few weeks in June in a bid to return from Tommy John surgery last year. A day earlier, Alex Wood started for Gwinnett and picked up a win in his first start at the Triple-A level, going five innings and allowing just one run on three hits.

After getting into 16 games as a reliever and making one start for the Braves, Wood was sent back to the Minors to get stretched out in case he's needed as a starter down the stretch. There's been speculation that Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez might opt to slide the 22-year old Wood into the rotation and move Kris Medlen back into the bullpen -- or do the same thing when Beachy is deemed ready to return. At this point, Gonzalez said he just likes having those options.

"You think you've got too many starters and the next thing you know, three days later, you're looking for more pitching," Gonzalez said. "I think at this time of year, having guys like [Wood] and Beachy gives you a lot of depth."

Gonzalez said there is no timetable for Beachy's eventual return and they're evaluating his status on a start-to-start basis. Gonzalez also bumped Julio Teheran up a start, one ahead of Medlen, at the back of the rotation for the start of the second half.

"Just trying to give some guys some extra time," Gonzalez said. "This time of year, everybody that can will get a couple extra days and [pitching coach] Roger [McDowell] and I felt like we needed to give some of those guys a couple days of rest."

Brian Hedger is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.